Chief Technology Officer: Defining the Responsibilities of the Senior Technical Executive

“The CTO’s key tasks are not those of lab director writ large but, rather, of a technical businessperson deeply involved in shaping and implementing overall corporate strategy.” — W.W. Lewis, Sloan Management Review

What does it take to be a great CTO?
Leadership – Expertise – Innovation – Teamwork – Relationships – Passion

In the 21st century, every company that is going to be a leader in its industry needs an executive who is focused on identifying, tracking, developing, and profiting from new and emerging technologies. General Electric, Motorola, Cisco, Intel, Microsoft and hundreds of other major firms bring technology awareness into the executive ranks and the strategic decision making process. Modern business cannot be performed without leveraging the new technologies that are being created around the globe.

This book describes the role and responsibilities of the Chief Technology Officer and executives with similar titles. It provides a framework for understanding the many unique flavors the position; identifies key responsibilities that go with the job; and provides vignettes of successful CTO’s in large and small companies. This book is the first to take a disciplined look at this important executive position and to describe the best practices necessary to excel.

Every prospective technology leader must read this book and apply its ideas in their organizations.